{"id":497,"date":"2023-01-28T21:15:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-28T21:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/?p=497"},"modified":"2023-02-15T21:16:10","modified_gmt":"2023-02-15T21:16:10","slug":"are-swollen-gums-a-serious-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/2023\/01\/28\/are-swollen-gums-a-serious-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"Are My Swollen Gums a Serious Problem?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Young<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re dealing with discomfort, you might feel the pain on two levels. You not only feel the sting of an oral health problem, but also of needing to go to the dentist\u2019s office. Of course, the dentist is rarely as bad as you\u2019d imagine them to be, but it\u2019s also understandable to not want to make the trip unnecessarily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re dealing with swollen gums, you may wonder if it\u2019s worth talking to your dentist about it. If you don\u2019t whether what you\u2019re dealing with warrants professional attention, here\u2019s a guide that might give you some helpful information.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Can Cause Swollen Gums?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Swollen gums isn\u2019t a disease in itself; it\u2019s a symptom of many different conditions, and which one you\u2019re dealing with has a lot to do with what other symptoms you may be experiencing. Here are some of the most common reasons you could be dealing with swollen gums:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gum Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most common source of swollen gums is gingivitis, an incredibly prevalent bacterial infection. Gingivitis is a form of gum disease, and on its own it\u2019s rather mild; it\u2019s estimated that up to 50% of Americans have some form of gum disease, and many of them aren\u2019t even aware of it. However, gum disease is also degenerative, meaning it will only get worse with time if left untreated<\/a>. If you\u2019re dealing with swollen gums, it\u2019s worth checking that they aren\u2019t an early sign of infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pregnancy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause a drastic increase in blood flow to the gums, which can cause them to swell. This isn\u2019t necessarily a problem in itself, but hormones during pregnancy can also increase your chances of developing gum disease, so it\u2019s worth keeping an eye on your oral health in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malnutrition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A deficit in vitamins B and C can potentially lead to swelling in the gums, which means that malnutrition in general can cause this condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do I Deal with Swollen Gums?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re experiencing any discomfort due to gum inflammation, it\u2019s never a bad idea to give your dentist a call. A professional will have the skills necessary to diagnose and treat your condition effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Until you can see them, here are some things you can try to address the swelling:<\/p>\n\n\n\n